HR: 1330h
AN: NB33P-19    [Abstracts]
TI: Assessment and Habitat Evaluation of Native Freshwater Mussel Resources of Buffalo National River
AU: * Matthews, M W
EM: mickey.matthews@smail.astate.edu
AF: Arkansas State University, Department of Biological Sciences PO Box 599, State University, AR 72467 United States
AU: Usrey, F
EM: faron_usrey@nps.gov
AF: Buffalo National River, National Park Service Department of Interior 402 N Walnut Suite 136, Harrison, AR 72601 United States
AU: Seagraves, S
EM: sara.seagraves@smail.astate.edu
AF: Arkansas State University, Department of Biological Sciences PO Box 599, State University, AR 72467 United States
AU: Hodges, S
EM: shawn_hodges@nps.gov
AF: Buffalo National River, National Park Service Department of Interior 402 N Walnut Suite 136, Harrison, AR 72601 United States
AU: Gambill, J
EM: jason.gambill@smail,astate.edu
AF: Arkansas State University, Department of Biological Sciences PO Box 599, State University, AR 72467 United States
AU: Christian, A D
EM: achristian@astate.edu
AF: Arkansas State University, Department of Biological Sciences PO Box 599, State University, AR 72467 United States
AB: The Buffalo National River, Arkansas, boundary includes a 132-mile river corridor from near the headwaters to the confluence with the White River. The objectives of this project are to survey the entire river corridor, search for endangered and extirpated mussels, and conduct a geomorphological study. To date ~30% of the river has been qualitatively and quantitatively surveyed. A total of 22 new mussel aggregates were located in 2004. A total of 8 quantitative aggregates of previously known aggregates also were sampled in 2004, with an average aggregate area of 205.25 m2 ranging from 60 to 420 m2. Quantitatively sampled mussel aggregates resulted in: a mean richness of 11.13, ranging from 5-13; a mean density of 8.81 individuals / m2, ranging from 4.96-17.4 individuals / m2; and a mean community numeric standing crop of 1797 mussels, with a range of 610-4287 mussels. Habitat data from the aggregates suggests that mussels are more associated with substrate than with depth or velocity. Aggregates tend to increase in diversity and richness within cobble and boulder substrates. General negative correlations are seen for gravel, with diversity being strongly negatively correlated. Mussel surveys and geomorphology studies will continue in the summer and fall of 2005.
UR: http://www.nps.gov/buff
DE: 9810 New fields (not classifiable under other headings)
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly